Crain was one of the jurors in the case. Sporting a U.S. Marine Corps cap, he spoke to the News Journal about the experience over a cup of black coffee.

"That really bothered me," Crain said of recommending that Grate deserved to die. "In some ways in my mind and in my heart, I didn't want to vote death from a Christian standpoint."

On Friday, a six-man, six-woman jury recommended the death penalty for Grate, 41, for the aggravated murders of Elizabeth Griffith and Stacey Stanley. He will be officially sentenced June 1 by Ashland County Common Pleas Judge Ron Forsthoefel.

Landlord Jim Cristman is inside the apartment that Shawn Grate lived in at 132 W. Second St. Cristman bought Grate wood-working tools to help him get started in sign-making business. Jason J. Molyet/News Journal, Jason J. Molyet/News Journal

Ashland County prosecutor Chris Tunnel asks the prospective jurors questions during his voir dire during the first day of jury selection Monday, April 9, 2018 for the Shawn M. Grate trial. Tom E. Puskar, Times-Gazette.com

Shawn M. Grate is escorted back into Common Pleas Court by two Ashland County Sheriff deputies after a break during voir dire during the first day of jury selection Monday, April 9, 2018. Tom E. Puskar, Times-Gazette.com

Attorney Robert Whitney, attorney for Shawn M. Grate, asks the prospective jurors questions during his voir dire during the first day of jury selection Monday, April 9, 2018. Tom E. Puskar, Times-Gazette.com

A visitor to the Ashland County Courthouse walks past a sign prohibiting firearms, knives, chemical sprays and scissors during the first day of jury selection Monday, April 9, 2018 in the Shawn M. Grate trial. Tom E. Puskar, Times-Gazette.com

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Crain added there was little emotion in the jury room despite the weighty decision.

"If there was any of them that felt as bad or worse than I did, I couldn't tell it," he said.

He described the panel as a "nice and good group," but he didn't know anyone's name. Court personnel addressed jurors by their numbers.

Through Facebook, Crain discovered after the trial that he went to school with the jury foreman's father-in-law.

Noting several of the jurors were retirees, Crain predicted a number of them would be gone by the time Grate is executed.

Crain offered his impressions of the suspected serial killer.

"I watched Mr. Grate quite a bit. To me, he seemed very calm, very nonchalant, almost like he was an observer himself," the juror said. "He watched each one of us as we were questioned by the judge. I tried to stare him down.

"Anybody that does what he did, they've got a problem."

Still, Crain has some doubts about recommending the death penalty.

"I think I did the right thing," he said.

He also knows the experience will stay with him.

"I'll never forget this," Crain said. "Anytime I think of the pictures of those ladies and the pictures we saw, it's going to bother me."